by Jing Ramos, photography by Doro Barandino

A Brancusi like sculpture against a polished concrete wall offers a low key entrance to the property.

Maria Luisa Estate Park remains one of the most highly regarded real estate properties in Cebu. The lush landscape offers stunning views of the city. Situated atop the Banilad and Busay hills, the development is known for its high elevation and sweeping panorama of Cebu City and Mactan Island. The hilly topography makes the properties a challenge for building construction. It was no accident that fashion designer Jun Escario and architect Simon Miles chose a very specific look for their house on the rugged slopes of Maria Luisa Estate Park.

The couple have been living for eight years in what appears to be a temple of modernist architecture, defined by functionalism. The design of the house embraces new technologies—reinforced concrete, steel, and glass—to create clean, geometric, and often asymmetrical forms. This postmodernist architecture is characterized by classical elements reinterpreted with modern materials and a touch of irony. The visual shape of the house blends various styles, periods, and materials into a single structure. The focus is on how the building relates to its surroundings, opposing the universal glass-box approach to modernism.

As a result, the house features clean lines, a carefully balanced composition, and exposed building materials, along with spacious rooms and abundant natural light. The style emphasizes volume and perspective, further enhanced by a minimalist outlook.

Jun Escario added, “The concept of the house evolved around several pieces Simon and I already owned, particularly my collection of mid-century furniture, which we were keen to incorporate into the design. We also picked up several paintings and earthen jars from a trip to Santorini. With great respect for our talented Cebu designers, we wanted the overall aesthetics to remain true to our personal style—clutter-free and effortlessly chic. The property itself was laid out utilizing 650 square meters of the lot.”

Simon Miles and Jun Escario in Santorini where the couple picked up a lot of their inspiration

R&Y Agousti Sylvie chair and a black baby grand Weinstein piano define the space of the house’s entrance

A contemporary dining area features a large, vibrant yellow abstract painting and a tall sculptural column reflect the owner’s aesthetic preferences.

R&Y Agousti Sylvie chair and the Barcelona day bed are the prime design elements that characterize the principle of stark simplicity in this living room.

This lounge area features mid-century modern design elements that utilizes a minimalist approach with functional furniture anchored by a puce colored rug.

A large black glass wall divides spaces accompanied by an austere side board with art objects picked up from the couple’s extensive travels.

A low-profile upholstered platform bed with a distinctive padded headboard with clean lines and neutral tones supported by subtle light colored legs.

The entrance is recessed with dim lighting and exposed concrete steps lead to a black door flanked by an earthenware jar from Santorini, setting the mood of the house’s architecture.

by Jing Ramos

David Downton’s illustrations document the glamour of the portrait sitters.

“David Downton’s technique captures all the looks of today, their outline and their sophistication with paradoxical realism.” — Christian Lacroix, fashion designer

David Downton has established himself for over two decades now as the world’s premier fashion artist. His contemporary and stylish portraits of women have had such an impact on the fashion landscape that they have revived interest in fashion illustration in the manner of René Gruau and Antonio Lopez. David Downton believes that these illustrations reflect images of the times in which they were made. “I think fashion illustrations are every bit as evocative as fashion photography. An Antonio Lopez drawing from the 1970s or a René Gruau graphic from the 1940s can stand alongside a Richard Avedon or a Guy Bourdin photograph.”

From the time David Downton was commissioned by the Financial Times in 1996 to cover the Paris couture shows, fashion became his language. He likened the experience to entering Narnia. Inevitably, his career took off, and since then his name has become a byword, covering every base in the most important fashion publications globally: Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar, to name a few. Currently, he is an editor-at-large at Graydon Carter’s Air Mail Weekly.

So what makes David Downton distinct from the rest of the fashion tribe? “David Downton has the magical gift of restoring movement, an attitude, the impeccable precision of a fabric, in a few smooth touches that are elegant and intelligent,” Christian Lacroix expounds. Downton’s fashion illustrations create artistic representations of his subjects in an atmosphere that translates conceptual designs into compelling visuals.

When embarking on a portrait, David Downton applies the same criteria as he does with fashion illustrations. The artist claims, “I am looking for beauty and a reductive line, trying to say as much as I can with as little fuss as possible.” The artistic quality that defines his work is purposely lacking in detail, slightly deconstructed, with lots of white space around and above the subject, and above all, the subject’s intense, sphinx-like gaze.

Sofia Coppola, Hotel Ritz,Paris 2012 Dress Marc Jacobs

Daphne Guiness, Claridge, London 2012

Paloma Picasso, London 1999

Iman, New York 2012, Dress, Azzedine Alaia

Anouk Aimee, Hotel Meurice, Paris 2001

Dita Von Teese, London 2012, Veil by Stephen Jones

by Jing Ramos

VIP Consultant Stylist: Marlon Corvera
Photos by: Dennis Tooshkanov
Location: Manhattan, New York

Manager: Monique Arceneaux
Assistant Manager/Lawyer: Tracey Chambers

Fashion: Giorgio Armani
Hair: Viki Lulgjuraj
Makeup: Imogene Raypon

The fashion house of Armani has long been known for its understated luxury and powerhouse clientele — the likes of Jacqueline Onassis, Richard Gere, and Julia Roberts.

Mr. Armani, as he was always respectfully referred to, symbolized Italian style that leaned toward subtlety rather than extravagance. The iconic designer valued constant reinvention, aiming to deliver clean, essential lines of clothing. He firmly believed in perfectionism as a meaningful pursuit in life.

Mr. Armani’s recent passing left a gap in the industry, though his fashion story continues to live on. Happy Melendres pays tribute to the master in a collection of carefully curated Armani dresses set against the stunning backdrop of Manhattan. To recall Mr. Armani’s quote on style:

“Individual style is the correct balance of knowing who you are, what works for you, and how to develop your own personality.”

Mr. Armani’s brand personality rejected mainstream status symbols.

Halter top slip dress in black viscose at the entrance of the Plaza Hotel

How did this amazing experience happen to you?
I just happened to be introduced to Marlon Corvera, the premier style consultant for classical artists in ballet and opera. He was the one who chose the Armani gown for me, and I was thrilled to follow his advice.

Tell us about the whole process of fitting into an Armani dress.
I would describe it as simply magical. Marlon chose the dresses based on what he saw in me and my personality — and I couldn’t agree more. I was also amazed by the professionalism of Jose Nolasco, who made sure that the gown fit me perfectly. I can’t divulge their secrets, but I will say that they truly know how to make the people who wear their creations feel special.

What makes Armani different from other luxury clothing brands, personally?
I think it’s in the way Armani captures and enhances the silhouette. The way the dresses flow — accentuating what needs to be accentuated — and how the exquisite fabrics feel when they touch one’s skin, it’s like a gentle hug that uplifts the wearer’s soul. Even when you’re having a bad day, wearing an Armani piece is an instant pick-me-up — it makes you look great and feel great. Armani’s style is timeless.

Celery green knit dress finished in shimmering sequins showcases a deep neckline and fitted long sleeves at the Petrossian Bar

Pink floor length dress with floral appliques at the Carnegie Hall

Italian Conductor Giacomo Sagripanti with fashion brand ambassador Happy Melendres at the opening gala ceremony at the New York Metropolitan Opera. Both are wearing Armani.